Adult Tonsillectomy

kitty60 · ‎03-13-2010

My son who is in his thirties will be having his tonsils out this week. Has anyone had this experience as an adult? Dr. wanted him to take two weeks out of work, he is planning on a full week out of work. DIL wants someone to sit with him for one week. Since he is having them removed outpatient on Friday and will have people around over the weekend I think she will have a good idea of what is going on. I know it is a little more serious in adults but really! Any experiences would be appreicated.

henderson · ‎03-18-2010

It's much more painful for an adult. Is there a good reason for taking the tonsils out? I had my tonsils out at age 30 in 1976. I was not completely out, but I could feel blood dripping down my throat. It was painful after I got home. Felt like my throat was slit open. I remember just eating popsicles. I got pregnant with our 2nd son after recovery!

I think i was off work for about 2 weeks. I had strep throat a lot so that's why I had them removed. I'm sure, now 40 years later, the surgery is much better and they can control the pain when your son gets home.

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

my adult son had this done two years ago.

it was quite painful! as the doctor said, it feels like you are swallowing glass.

he ate a lot of soup the first few days and drank a lot of gatorade. you just have to be careful about the site bleeding.

they gave him a prescription of liquid oxycodone for pain, but he did not take it.

although the doctor said the same thing about 2 full weeks for recovery, he was up and out after about 5 days or so.

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

I had it done as a 15 year old ,this was about 55 years ago. I was told by someone my age , how sick I would be

She didn't lie. I couldn't eat or talk, and dropped a great deal of weight..This is probably not going to happen to your son. I am sure methods are a lot better today

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

I was 17 when I had mine removed. They did not remove my adenoids since they said they were so small. My friend had hers out the day before me but she had to have her adenoids removed. We were in the same room. She had more problems & pain. I did not have those problems. Just sore throat & tired.

Are they removing his adenoids?

No they don't let you eat ice cream. It builds up mucous. I ate a lot of Popsicles.

LexaMom · ‎03-10-2010

I had this done when I was 22. I was in grad school and my Mom - an LPN came out to take care of me. What I remember the most was not being able to swallow much and salivating a lot. I ate a LOT of Jello Egg Custard. It was about a week of that.

I also remember - back then (1972) - they had to use ether to put you out.. That was awful. Hopefully that isn't true anymore.

IlliniGirl88 · ‎06-20-2010

@kitty60 - Sorry to hear your son has to get this done as an adult. My sister had her tonsils out as an adult, and as others have said, it's quite painful. It was very uncomfortable for her, but no complications. She's not a wimpy person either, and she just seemed to take longer to heal and she was in quite a bit of pain. Wish I had something better to say, but adults seem to have a rougher time with tonsillectomy. I hope your son has a better time with it.

JYWilliams · ‎03-10-2010

I was 28 when I had mine removed. My pain tolerance is high so when I say I had a great deal of pain believe it. I couldn't eat so I lost 20 lbs in 10 days. My right ear hurt so bad. I started bleeding twice where the second time it happen I had to be put back under so they can stop the bleeding.(this was almost two weeks after the surgery) The pain pills where so big that they hurt to swallow so I had to get liquid. I had it rough. The smell that comes from your mouth from the procedure is really bad. I know everyone is different but for me I would rather heal from broken bones. (LOL) I hope your son has a better out come.

GraceLady · ‎01-03-2013

Adult tonsillectomy is very painful. I had mine removed in my mid-twentys, not my adenoids. My tonsils were deeply rooted, which made it more difficult for the surgeon to remove them. My son had his removed at age 3, and his just popped out because children's tonsils hadn't rooted in yet. My ENT also never does adults as outpatients. He always admits for one night. I was so thankful for that. When anesthesia completely wears off, the pain really sets in. Only the hopsital can manage that pain. I ended up having to stay a second night because I couldn't swallow, and until I could take in fluids and soft foods, I could not go home. He had me out for two weeks. It was important to stay away from people so I didn't get sick. Full recovery took more like five-six weeks.

kitty60 · ‎03-13-2010

Yes, they are taking his adenoids also. He has been in so much pain with his throat over the last year I can only hope it will be a relief when it heals. The overall response seems to be the first few days will be the worst. He doen not like to take any prescription pain meds so I pray he can work through it.